Uxbridge Loaves and Fishes Food Bank seeking holiday donations

Specific items needed for the local food bank

Uxbridge Loaves and Fishes Food Bank seeking holiday donations

Celia Klemenz / Metroland

UXBRIDGE -- Derek Freemantle, a volunteer at the Loaves and Fishes food bank, held a list of items needed at the local food bank on December 5. The list is available for folks to pick up at Zehrs and Vince's Market to assist when they purchase items for donation to the food bank. December 5, 2012

UXBRIDGE -- There are a lot of items on Uxbridge Loaves and Fishes Food Bank's wish list this holiday season but baked beans aren't one of them.

While all donations are appreciated and welcomed, some items are over-stocked, unwanted and space is limited at the local food bank. Baked beans fall in the over-stocked category.

According to volunteer Derek Freemantle, more than 1,600 cans of baked beans line the shelves. Other items such as baby food and canned pasta are also donated, although there is no demand for them.

"We get a lot of baby food at the food bank," said Betty Bingham, temporary co-ordinator and volunteer for over five years. "There is no call for baby food, no demand for it. Adults outweigh children two to one. There is a need here in Uxbridge, even though it is an affluent area, there is a need."

This holiday season, the food bank is in need of many items including Hamburger Helper, pancake mix, pancake syrup, ketchup, muffin mix, plain flour, hot chocolate mix in a tin, rice, tins of fruit and non-herbal tea. Cash donations are also always welcome.

According to Mr. Freemantle, on top of donations, he spends approximately $1,000 per week to stock the shelves, fridges and freezers with items such as meat, cheese and eggs. Approximately 75 to 90 families are assisted by the food bank each month.

"We rely on cash donations," he said.

As he walked through the food bank aisles, scanning the items and organizing shelves, many volunteers were seen scurrying around like Christmas elves, packing grocery bags for a large line of clients patiently waiting.

"We are not a typical food bank," said Ms. Bingham. "We have such a generous community and their generosity allows us to do more than other food banks; we give more."

The Uxbridge Loaves and Fishes Food Bank sets itself above the rest as it offers a variety of choices, she added. Ms. Bingham noted that many food banks fill boxes for each client and they take home whatever is placed into the box. But the Uxbridge food bank goes through an interviewing process every time a client comes in.

The clients are provided with a list of various grocery items and visitors can check off which ones they need and how many. The food bank also offers a "help yourself tray" and a "choose five tray" for clients.

Those wanting to make a donation can do so by dropping food items into a drop box at Zehrs grocery store, 321 Toronto St., or at the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank, 40 Toronto St. from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Clients can visit the food bank once a month on Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. According to Ms. Bingham, the Uxbridge food bank only welcomes clients from the Township.